Sustainable and productive cherries Valery Chkalov: description of the variety and features of its cultivation
The cherry variety Valery Chkalov is characterized by resistance to unfavorable climatic and weather conditions, early and rich yield. The fruits of the tree are sweet, juicy and large in size. This explains the popularity of the variety among farmers and gardeners. However, to obtain a bountiful harvest, it is important to take into account the characteristics of the crop, follow the rules of planting a tree and caring for it.
Description of the cherry variety Valery Chkalov
Cherry Valery Chkalov is an early variety that is grown in many regions of Russia. Its unpretentiousness and adaptability to various natural conditions make it possible to plant the crop not only in the southern territories, but also in the northern regions of the country.
Cherry is frost- and drought-resistant. Flowering begins in May, fruiting in mid-June. The berries are large and sweet. The tree bears a harvest annually - up to 60 kg of fruit in warm regions. The first berries should be expected in the 5th year. The volume depends on natural conditions and the age of the plant. Over the years, the yield increases and the taste of the fruit improves.
History of origin and distribution
The Valery Chkalov variety was developed by domestic breeders of the Central Laboratory of Genetics named after. Michurin and Melitopol Horticulture Station named after. M. F. Sidorenko. With open pollination of the Caucasian Pink cherry, seedlings of a new variety appeared, which were named in honor of the pilot Valery Chkalov.
The variety was included in the State Register in 1974.and is zoned in the North Caucasus region. Due to its unpretentiousness, the culture quickly became popular and spread to other regions of the country.
Characteristics and description of trees
The tall tree reaches a length of 3.5 to 6 m. The trunk is strong, stocky with branched branches extending at an angle of 45-60°. The bark is compacted, gray-brown in color. The tree looks massive and has a thick, spreading crown. Leaf size is about 19 cm long, 10 cm wide.
During the flowering period, the amount of foliage increases, pink-cream flowers with a pleasant aroma appear. A developed crown is the key to a bountiful harvest. At the same time, gardeners note not only the fruit-bearing, but also the decorative qualities of the crop.
Temperature resistance
Cherry Valery Chkalov prefers a warm and mild climate, but it is characterized by resistance to low temperatures, including sudden changes. The frost-resistant crop can withstand down to -30°C.
Attention! With a significant or sharp decrease in temperature, up to 70% of the buds die, but a third of the harvest is usually preserved.
To enhance cold resistance, the crop is prepared for winter.
Moisture and drought resistance
The Valery Chkalov variety needs moderate moisture. Sweet cherries do not like excess liquid, but excessive dryness also reduces the quality of the harvest - the berries become less juicy and fall off prematurely.
When watering, it is recommended to focus on the weather conditions and climate of the area - the soil should not dry out or become waterlogged.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Cherries are susceptible to diseases, so they need additional support and prevention. However, it is resistant to the most dangerous fungal pathologies - moniliosis and coccomycosis.
Treatments of plantings significantly reduce the risk of exposure to pests and the development of diseases.
Characteristics and description of berries
The fruits of the tree are dark red in color, round, heart-shaped. The weight of the berry is 6-8 g, the seeds are 0.4 g. The fruits are characterized by juiciness and the release of juice when damaged. The taste is sweet, with sourness.
Sufficient density of the berries facilitates their long-term storage and transportation without damage.
Areas of use
Fresh cherries are consumed as a tasty and healthy dessert. The fruits are also used for cooking:
- preserves, jam;
- juice, fruit drink;
- wines, tinctures, liqueurs;
- sweets (marmalade, candies);
- baking fillings.
For long-term preservation, the berries are frozen.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Advantages of the variety Valery Chkalov:
- early ripening of berries;
- abundant yield;
- resistance to cold;
- quality and taste of berries.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- careful care of the crop (preparation for winter, treatment against pests);
- susceptibility to disease;
- self-sterility - pollinators are required to produce crops.
Growing technology
Despite the unpretentiousness of the culture, the fruiting of a tree depends on the correctness of its landings and growing conditions.
Optimal conditions
A mild, warm climate is considered beneficial for cherries. It is provided with an abundance of sun, absence of drafts and close location of groundwater.
Landing dates and rules
The best time to plant cherries is early spring (before the buds swell). Root it before the cold weather arrives. During the spring and summer, the crop manages to take root on the site.
Choose a place that is sunny and without drafts, in the southern part of the garden, preferably on a hill. A hill can be created artificially.Groundwater should be at a depth of 3-4 m.
Attention! Cherry has a dense crown and an extensive root system, so the tree is located at a distance of 5-6 m from buildings and other plants.
The following should not be planted next to cherries:
- peppers, tomatoes, eggplants - due to the risk of crop damage by diseases;
- oak, linden, birch - due to overdeveloped rhizomes.
When planting, it is important to choose the right tree cutting - smooth, strong, without peeling or damage, with a developed root system (20-25 cm) and bright foliage. Recommended age: 1-2 years.
Landing rules:
- Before the arrival of cold weather, dig holes in which to mix humus and soil.
- In the spring, before planting the shoot, loosen the soil, add potassium, magnesium, and ash.
- Place a stake in the middle of the hole (70x70 cm in size and 1.5 m deep) and tie the cutting to it.
- Before planting, soak the root in a solution of water and a growth stimulator (“Kornevin”).
- Place the seedling in the hole, sprinkle with soil, and compact it.
- Form an earthen roller around the cutting.
- Water the planting with 2 buckets of water (not cold).
When planting cherries in groups, the distance between trees is at least 3 m, between rows - 4 m.
Further care
Since the hole with the seedling is fertilized when planting, feeding is not required at first. After a year, substances containing nitrogen (urea) are added. Feed the plant three times per season.
Care also includes crown pruning:
- Classic. One main and 5-6 skeletal branches. The height of the tree in this case is 8-9 m.
- Bush. In the first year, cherries are pruned to 50-60 cm. The following spring, the length of the branches is reduced by 1/5. Vertical shoots are pulled out at right angles, dry shoots are removed. The height of the tree will be up to 2-3 m, but this will not affect the harvest.
Water the crop regularly:
- before and after flowering;
- 2 weeks before picking berries;
- in mid-autumn before the cold weather arrives.
Cherries should not be watered during the ripening period. This can cause cracks in the berries.
Possible problems, diseases, pests
In case of violations in care, cherries can be affected by diseases and pests.
Cherry pests:
- The cherry slimy sawfly is a larva that feeds on leaves. They destroy it by spraying with Aktara or Confidor.
- Pipeworm is a beetle with a long proboscis that gnaws through branches, leaves, and fruits. Treatment of planting and soil with Inta-vir or Fufanon is required.
- Black aphids are bugs that cause leaves to dry out and fall off. To combat them, remove all ants from the area, sprinkle the trees with tobacco dust, or use the drug “Fitoverm”.
- The cherry fly lays eggs in the fruit, from which worms form. The tree is treated with an infusion of onion peels, and sticky traps for flies are hung.
Hole spot
Brown spots appear on the leaves, in place of which holes subsequently form. Treatment consists of removing diseased shoots - they are burned. The trunk circle is dug up, the tree is sprayed with a solution of Bordeaux mixture (3%).
Moniliosis
Formations with fungal spores appear on the plant, the berries rot, and the leaves turn yellow. The disease develops rapidly. Affected branches are removed from the tree. Treatments: copper sulfate, Bordeaux mixture.
Coccomycosis
A pink coating appears on the lower area of the leaf, and blotches appear on the upper area. Then holes form, the tree weakens, and the leaves fall off. Treatment includes the elimination of affected branches, spraying with Bordeaux mixture and copper oxychloride.
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Wintering
To enhance cold resistance, cherries are prepared for wintering:
- water abundantly in the tree trunk circle;
- spud and whiten the trunk;
- mulch the soil with humus;
- Cover the trunk and part of the branches with burlap and insulate with peat.
For young crops, a frame is formed on which agrofibre or burlap is stretched. In the spring, when the snow melts, it is removed.
Reproduction
An effective way to propagate cherries is grafting. The seed method and rooting cuttings are not practical.
A culture is grafted onto a related one or belonging to the same species. For cherries, this is the genus Plumaceae, which also includes cherries, plums, and cherry plums. But you can graft cherries onto cherries, for example, onto another variety. In this case, there is no need to plant pollinator trees.
Features of cultivation depending on the region
Recommended areas with optimal conditions for growing crops:
- Stavropol region;
- North Caucasus;
- Ingushetia;
- Rostov region;
- Krasnodar region.
However, planting of the Valery Chkalov variety is also allowed in other regions. In favorable conditions (for example, in Crimea), the yield reaches 60 kg. To the north it drops 2-3 times. In less stable areas, more careful tree care and mandatory preparation for wintering are required.
Pollinator varieties
Since the variety Valery Chkalov is self-sterile, planting of pollinators is required:
- Skorospelka;
- Jaboulet;
- April;
- June early;
- Bigarro Burlat;
- Rechitsa;
- Poetry.
How is it pollinated?
Cherry productivity Valery Chkalov depends on the pollinators located nearby.They are planted at a distance of 3-4 m from each other. For effective pollination, it is important that crops have identical flowering periods.
Attention! To save space on the site, it is permissible to graft several different varieties onto one tree.
Reviews from gardeners
Gardeners from different regions are satisfied with the proven cherry variety Valery Chkalov.
Tatyana Smirnova, Sevastopol: “Since the climate in my region is favorable, there were no problems with the establishment of the Valery Chkalov cherry variety. The tree did not require any special care, only standard procedures. The berries appeared in the fifth year - large, sweet.”
Ekaterina Poletaeva, Vladimir: “Valery Chkalov did not immediately decide to plant cherries due to unstable weather. But I worried in vain. The young trees were not damaged during the winter. I was preparing for wintering - I covered the cuttings well. The harvest appeared a few years later.”
Victor Litvinov, Kirishi: “Valery Chkalov has been growing cherries on my plot for about 7 years now. Resistant to disease and cold. The neighbors are also growing, they don’t notice any problems. “I have a tree about 4 m tall, it blooms very beautifully in spring, the berries are large and fragrant.”
Conclusion
Cherry tree Valery Chkalov has earned recognition from gardeners. Planting a crop and caring for it is not difficult and can be done even by gardeners without experience. Variety will delight you with a bountiful harvest, large and juicy berries. The lifespan of a tree with proper care reaches more than 10 years.